"Abia govt confirms gunmen attack on
police station." - Dailypost of 9 may 2021.
"Boko
Haram attacks army base, kills five soldiers." - Punch newspaper of 17
May 2020.
"Eight
killed as operatives repel attack on imo police division." - Guardian
newspaper of 7 May 2021.
Whether you listen to the news, or you pick
up a copy of some of our national dailies, these kinds of troubling headlines cannot
be avoided. Over the years, Nigerians have experienced armed crimes such as
robbery, kidnapping etc. Recently, these attacks have been targeted at our
security personnel. In the Northeast, the incessant attacks by Boko Haram insurgents
on the Nigerian army have been a reoccurring menace. In the Southeast, series
of coordinated, albeit nasty attacks on the Nigerian Police and Army have been perpetrated
by 'unknown gunmen'. These attacks on our security personnel can be likened to
a fly that is perched on the scrotum and hence, require critical attention.
Following the blitz of deadly attacks on
our security officers, some of the questions which have engrossed the minds of concerned
Nigerians include; Who are those killing security personnel in Nigeria? Why
have security officers become their target? What are the motives of those perpetrating
these attacks? How long will these attacks continue?
Brief insight on these attacks
In Northern Nigeria, several attacks have
been made on members of the Nigerian Army by Boko Haram insurgents. The group
whose name means "western education is forbidden" in the Hausa
language spoken across northern Nigeria, has claimed responsibility for several
attacks on the Nigerian Army. Punch newspaper of 17 May 2020, reported that
"Boko Haram fighters have attacked a Nigerian Army location at 156
Battalion in Mainok area, Borno state, killing five soldiers". On
several occasions, these insurgents have made away with ammunition belonging to
the Nigerian Army.
A worrisome trend of assault on security
personnel, especially the Nigerian Police, is rearing its ugly head in the
Southeast. When these attacks are critically appraised, a definite pattern is
noticed; 'Unknown Gunmen' attack Police stations, Police officers are killed, Detainees
are freed, Police stations are razed by fire, assault rifles and other weapons
of the Nigerian Police are carted away by these gunmen. Although the motive
behind these attacks has not been ascertained, some members of the public have
pointed accusing fingers at Nnamdi Kanu's Eastern Security Network (ESN). My
esteemed readers would recall that owing to the incessant attacks on farmers by
armed fulani herdsmen and the perceived inability of the Southeast governors to
tackle this issue, Nnamdi Kanu set up a security wing of the Indigenous People
of Biafra (IPOB). On 24 April 2021, reports claimed that ESN commander, Ikonso,
was killed in Imo state by men of the
Nigerian Army.
Reacting to the development, IPOB's media
and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, vowed that "Imo state Governor,
Hope Uzodinma, and all those who had a hand in the wickedness(death of Ikonso)
will pay". Coincidentally, pockets of attacks on Nigerian Police have
visited the southeast Nigeria states since this statement was made. The attack
on Hope Uzodinma's house and consequent killing of his security guards is also
noteworthy. Shey you dey get the gist?
Why the attacks on security personnel?
During election period in the country,
security threats such as arming of political thugs for election malpractices by
desperate politicians, use of inciting statements during political campaigns
and in some cases, violent attacks by these armed thugs on our security personnel
are usually noticed. ThisDay of 31 August 2020 reported that "the
(then) Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has raised the alarm
that politicians in Edo and Ondo states are arming thugs ahead of the
governorship polls scheduled for September 19 and October 10 respectively".
Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chukwuma Soludo, who is also an
aspirant in the November 6 governorship election in Anambra state, was attacked
by gunmen who killed three policemen attached to him. It is clear that the
attack on Soludo has a political undertone.
An African
proverb has it that "when a mad man starts to use chewing stick, every
tree becomes a victim". After elections, these armed thugs continue to
perpetrate varying degrees of heinous crimes. Even our security officers are
not spared when they want to curb the activities of these armed thugs.
The organized attempt by some groups such
as Boko Haram to defeat the Nigerian government and take control of some parts
of the country has been a major reason for several attacks on the Nigerian
security personnel especially in the Northeastern Nigeria. Stories of Boko Haram
terrorists and the Nigerian troops engaging in a fierce gun battle have always made
headlines on the pages of our national dailies. Although IPOB has vehemently
denied responsibility for the attacks on several police stations in the Southeast,
many still believe that the group cannot be exonerated from the attacks. Wahala
dey!
Following a report by Dailypost of 9 May
2021 that gunmen attacked a Police station in Abia state, a statement from John
Okiyi Kalu, commissioner for information Abia state, reads that "those
who feel aggrieved must find peaceful means of ventilating their grievances and
agitate for redress as provided for in our constitution rather than take the
laws into their hands". From his statement, we can extract that, grievances
of some people, is one of the reasons for attack on security personnel. These
grievances could stem from brutality and harassment of some persons by security
personnel, perceived marginalization of certain tribe in the country, bad
governance etc.
Some political parties have been accused of
sponsoring the activities of these insurgents in a bid to score cheap political
points. Vanguard newspaper of 22 December 2014 reported that the "national
leadership of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, has again alleged that the
leadership of the All Progressive Congress, APC, was behind the continued cases
of insurgency where members of the Boko Haram sect have engaged in massive killings
and wanton destruction of property". APC, in their response, also
accused PDP of sponsoring this insurgency.
Similarly, while speaking to a radio
station, the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Obadiah
Mailafia, alleged that a (then) serving governor was a sponsor of Boko Haram.
These allegations and counter allegations,
whether true or not, are indications that some corrupt politicians sponsor the
attack on our security personnel for their selfish political interest.
Consequences of these attacks
Security personnel are charged with the
responsibility of securing the lives and properties of the citizens. When they
are attacked, it constitutes danger to everyone because the country will be plagued
by insecurity.
Criminals, when freed from detention
centres by these unknown gunmen, are reintegrated into the society.
Consequently, there is an increase in criminal activities such as armed
robbery, burglary, rape, kidnapping, insurgency, and even attacks on our
security personnel. Testament to this fact is the increased attacks on the Nigerian
Police in Imo state after gunmen attacked Owerri prison and freed 1,844
inmates. The release of these inmates and the surge in attacks on the Nigerian
Police couldn't have been mere happenstance.
Curfew, or state of emergency, is usually
imposed in response to incidents of attacks on security personnel. Apart from
the destruction of physical infrastructure, attacks on security personnel have
severe effects on economic growth. Businesses are sometimes abruptly brought to
a standstill and people are restricted from going about their normal businesses
during this period. This exposes several families to the scourge of hunger and
hardship.
When security personnel are attacked, innocent
persons are killed either directly or indirectly. Directly by stray bullets and
indirectly by Soldiers who are on rampage. PulseNg of 1 November 2020 reported that
In obigbo Rivers State, after six Army officers and four policemen were killed
by gunmen suspected to be IPOB members, it was alleged that the Army went on
rampage and people were seen in the pool of their blood.
Quelling these attacks
Since attacks on security personnel are
perpetrated with arms, the Nigerian Customs must checkmate the proliferation of
arms into the country. The uncontrolled accumulation and spread of different
categories of weapons makes it easier for insurgents to carryout dastardly
attacks on the Nigerian Police and Army.
On issues pertaining security, Nepotism in
all its ramifications, must be eschewed. The appointment of service chiefs must
be strictly on merit and competence to tackle security threats.
The judicial system of the country must be
revitalized such that people who feel aggrieved due to harassment and brutality
meted out to them by security personnel, or those whose family members were
murdered by either the Nigerian Army or Police, would have confidence in the
judiciary for justice. Otherwise, some aggrieved persons may take laws into
their hands.
There should be series of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Information gathering is essential towards curtailing the attacks on security personnel. The masses should also be oriented on the need to disclose information about these insurgents and criminals to the appropriate authorities
In conclusion
Nigeria is in a precarious situation and
great caution must be taken to avoid events that have the capacity of essentially
aggravating or opening more theaters of security crises. Attacks on security
personnel is real and must be treated as a matter of national emergency.
It is important that the people realize
that attacks on our security personnel will leave the country vulnerable and
susceptible to security crises.
The Nigerian government, on their part,
must take adequate and relentless approach towards curbing the surge in attacks
on our security personnel and consequently, eradicate the looming danger of
security crises. A quick and effective approach is essential because he who
goes to sleep with an itching anus wakes up with a smelly finger.
0 comments:
Post a Comment